NEWBORN SESSION 
Tips to Prepare for your Session

The following instructions are suggestions only. You know your baby best, so some of these instructions may not be possible. However, I have found that these tips work WONDERFULLY to help make the most of our time together for a successful session. I find that lack of preparation can cause the session to be much more difficult and last longer. Please don’t stress if you can not do everything perfectly. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and I totally understand this is a crazy time for your family!

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THE MORNING OF THE SESSION

Willingness to alter your schedule just a bit for the day, can help make your session a success!

We want a sleepy baby during their session, if you can please stimulate & keep baby awake for an hour or so before the session. This helps make babe extra sleepy for the session & when baby can get in a deeper sleep, it makes posing & going from one set to another easier. A warm bath is a great way to do this as well as talking & interacting with baby while keeping them in just their diaper.

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**Please avoid foods that can cause gas a few days before your session if you are nursing.

**Please avoid caffeine if at all possible the morning of your session if you are nursing.

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Feeding the morning of the session

If you are coming to the session….

WITH BABY ONLY (no siblings):  If you live nearby, feed your baby immediately before you leave your house to come to the session. If you live more than 45 minutes away, please feed your about 2-3 hours prior to the session, then, plan on feeding him again as soon as you arrive at my studio to get him nice and full before we start the session. Dress your baby in loose clothing so it will be easy to undress him without waking him. We will start with your baby’s portraits right away, and will finish the session with parent photos. 

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WITH A TODDLER OR YOUNG SIBLING:  Please feed your baby immediately before you leave your house to come to the session.  This will allow us to start sibling photos right away when you arrive. Young siblings have a short attention span for photos, so we want to make sure we take those photos immediately so the sibling will not have to wait through a feeding.  When you get here, I will swaddle your baby in a beautiful wrap and begin the sibling photos.  Toddlers have a short attention span, and I do not want the sibling to have to wait a while for baby to be fed before we start photos. Dress your baby in loose clothing so it will be easy to undress them without waking them. We will start sibling photos immediately upon arrival, then family photos will follow. Please make arrangements to have a friend or family member pick up your toddler or young children so we can then focus on the individual newborn portraits. If no one is available, it is best for one of the parents to take the toddler out to grab a bite to eat, visit the local shops, or play at the nearby park while we complete the rest of the session. Sessions can last over 2 hours, and children do not enjoy sitting still for that amount of time. Please make necessary arrangements before you arrive. Thank you for understanding. 

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FEEDING:  When feeding your baby, please take your time and make sure your baby gets a full feeding. I like to use the term “milk drunk, ” meaning your baby eats until he falls into a deep sleep. Please don’t feel rushed during feedings at the studio. There is plenty of time set aside during your session for baby’s needs. It is so important to make sure baby has a full belly to get those sleepy baby poses. A hungry baby will not pose and will remain unsettled during the session.

If you are nursing and pumping, please bring a couple of bottles of expressed milk. If you are using formula, please bring extra formula! More than you think you will need! Babies tend to feed more than usual at the session.

Sessions usually last around 2 hours. Sometimes a little longer depending on if baby is a light sleeper, or needs to stop multiple times to feed. The easiest way to ensure a sleepy baby is the willingness to nurse/bottle feed on and off. Your baby’s feeding schedule may be a little thrown off on session day, but babies tend to be hungrier during their newborn sessions. Do not be surprised if they want to eat more than normal. 

**I understand that some parents may be already trying to set a “feeding schedule.” However,  please understand that babies may be a hungrier at their newborn sessions because of the extra exercise from being moved around. Please be willing to have a flexible feeding schedule during the newborn session. Please be willing to be a little flexible just for the couple of hours we are together for a successful session. My top priority is your baby’s health, safety, and comfort. **

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If you can, bring the soothie pacifier the hospital sent you home with. It’s the bendable, green/blue/orange one, and won’t leave marks. Even if you haven’t used one, just for the 2 hours that I’m posing him/her really helps. If you don’t happen to have one, I keep sterile pacifiers here in the studio (as well as plenty of newborn diapers). However, if you really prefer that we don’t use a paci, that is fine as well! I will always respect your wishes!

For breast feeding moms, some foods we eat may cause painful gas for our babies.  If your baby is experiencing gas pains, here is a great article from Dr. Sears that lists some foods to avoid that may cause gas.  However, this is just a suggestion as everyone is different. But some find avoiding these foods may be helpful.

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During the session

TEMPERATURE: It will be around 75+ degrees in the studio. Due to this, I will be dressed comfortably for a warm few hours, and suggest you do to! This warm temperature will keep baby’s skin color nice and even, as well as help them stay warm and comfy since they will be undressed for most of the session. You are welcome to bring the clothes you want to change into when done with family portraits. There is a private restroom available.

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FOR SIBLINGS:

Including older brother / sister(s) in your newborn portraits is the perfect way to document this fleeting time in your lives.

ARRANGE FOR A HELPER IF POSSIBLE: If you are bringing young children to the session, it is important to arrange for a family member or friend to pick them up after their portraits are finished. Their portion of the session will start immediately upon arrival, and family photos should be finished within the 30-45 minutes. (Another reason why it is important to feed your baby before you come!) Since the full session can last for a couple hours, children can get very bored and tired waiting for the session to be over. My studio is filled with props, equipment, and lighting. Children will need to be supervised at all times as to not touch anything.  If you prefer your older children stay for the duration of the session, please bring a favorite movie, ipad,  books, puzzles, coloring sheets (no markers please). to help them pass the time. 

I have everything to style your session at my studio. However, if you have some props / items that you would like to incorporate into your photos, you are welcome to bring them. I ask that you keep props to a minimum, or just bring items that are of sentimental value.
 

Retouching

For Baby:  Please don’t stress if your baby has acne or peeling skin. I can retouch all of this at no extra charge, all skin blemishes that would not normally be there will be retouched. Umbilical cords will be left as is and will not be edited out, so please let me know at the time of the session if you prefer that the umbilical cord stays covered, and I will pose the baby in a way so it will not show.

For other family Members: While acne/blemish removal softening are free of charge, there are a few things that will incur an extra editing fee. These requests are very time consuming and may result in editing delays. Please take care of these issues before your photos.

• Nail polish color changes/ heavy peeling removal

• Hair color change or root cover up

• Self tanner blotches/streaks and tan lines

• Braces removal or tooth repairs/replacement

• Large tattoo removal requests (If you do not want them to show, please wear something that covers them)

• Arriving with heavily wrinkled clothes 

• Excessive food or mucus left on children’s faces

• Requesting makeup color changes

• Poorly fitting undergarment lines/folds, and brightly colored undergarments that show through clothing. Neutral tones are best.

After your session

The photos from your session will be presented to you in a private online proofing gallery. I will email you the link to access this gallery within 2-3 weeks after your session. The wonderful thing about the online gallery is you can view them from the comfort of your home.  From your gallery,  you will be able to “star” and select your favorites. The amount of images you may select depends on the package you choose. Once you choose the images you would like to have  (please email me to let me know you’ve finalized your selections), I will then send those to you with a print release! If you would like to purchase the remaining gallery, no need to select your favorites just email me and let me know and they will be sent after payment is made.

From your gallery you will be able to download your high resolution files and print them with a print release at your convenience. Your photos are presented in a special online gallery where you can download them instantly with one click.